Synonyms of inquisitive

inquisitive

adjective

in-ˈkwi-zə-tiv 

as in curious

interested in what is not one's own business

an inquisitive woman who tends to everybody's business but her own

Synonyms & Similar Words

• curious
• nosey
• interested
• nosy
• prying
• officious
• intrusive
• concerned
• questioning
• quizzical
• meddlesome
• obtrusive
• snoopy
• meddling
• interrogative
• inquisitorial
• interfering
• inquisitional

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disinterested
• incurious
• indifferent
• uninterested
• uncurious
• unconcerned
• apathetic

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective inquisitive contrast with its synonyms?

The words curious and prying are common synonyms of inquisitive. While all three words mean "interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern," inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.

dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

When can curious be used instead of inquisitive?

The meanings of curious and inquisitive largely overlap; however, curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know.

children are curious about everything

When would prying be a good substitute for inquisitive?

The words prying and inquisitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.

prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inquisitive

Before last month’s toll-increase vote, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft and Pleasant Hill Mayor Sue Noack were the only commissioners seriously inquisitive about the agency’s handling of its finances. —Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2025

Pete was a gentle spirit, creative, inquisitive, and reflective. —Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

Elsewhere, inquisitive faces loom up from hazy backgrounds; a straight fringe frames a determined expression. —Michael Bracewell, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025

As the film’s wealthy Pennsylvania industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren, Pearce creates a psychologically penetrating portrait of a man who is by turns generous and predatory, inquisitive and closed off, someone who ultimately reveals himself to be capable of true evil. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024